Legion state commander honors veterans

American Legion Department of Florida Commander Joe Magee visited Post 54 recently, and he graciously helped mount the new wreath on the chimney at Veterans Memorial Park. The park sits on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and 11th Street, and features commemorative bricks honoring military veterans. Bricks may be obtained with a small donation attached to the brick order forms that are available at the park.

Above, Magee (left) assists American Legion Post 54 Commander George Terwilliger in hanging the new wreath on the chimney at the park. The chimney is all that is left of the original log cabin that once housed the post. Ken Prescott, owner of Dottie B's Florist on Ash Street, has donated every wreath since the park's inception in 2011.

Below, Nancy Howarter stands with Magee after the Veterans Council of Nassau County placed a memorial brick in honor of her husband, Jack.

Jack Howarter was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. After his naval service, he was employed by the FAA as an air traffic controller supervisor. He was also active in the community, and was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and AmVets. He served as president of the Northeast Florida region of AmVets and was that organization's project manager for the installation of the bell tower at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

Howarter was also the past chairman of the Veterans Council of Nassau County. The council is composed of veterans' organizations in the county, and acts as an information exchange, as well as a coordinator of assistance efforts on behalf of veterans.